Bare bottom or sand?

[Koikeeper99]

I'm getting yet another 55. Gallon tank some members here gave me the idea of sand but I won't be able to get it for a while so would a bare bottom tank be fine? I'd either put goldfish, one of my larger koi while she waits for her pond( darn snow!) or just keep my breeding pair of bristlenose in there?

 

[Bigfish99]

Just curious, what is the holdup on getting the sand?

 

[Koikeeper99]

The shipping and it would save me 10$ for a bare bottom. Because I might have to buy a new filter because I don't think his filter is very good but well see..

 

[Scottyhorse]

A bare bottom will be fine till you are able to buy some sand.

 

[Oohitsae]

I know you said the shipping on it would be expensive...but have you considered just going to lowes or another home improvement store and buying sand from them? I got some gorgeous black sand from Tractor Supply Company called "black diamond sand blasting sand" and after rinsing a few times it's worked out gorgeously in my tank. If you are going for a more natural look then you could just go for play sand or pool filter sand from the home improvement stores and be set. Much cheaper in the long run as well!!

I paid $8 for a 50lb bag of the black diamond (plus gas) and I know that play sand is only like $4-5 for a bag that size as well.

 

[Bigfish99]

I know you said the shipping on it would be expensive...but have you considered just going to lowes or another home improvement store and buying sand from them? I got some gorgeous black sand from Tractor Supply Company called "black diamond sand blasting sand" and after rinsing a few times it's worked out gorgeously in my tank. If you are going for a more natural look then you could just go for play sand or pool filter sand from the home improvement stores and be set. Much cheaper in the long run as well!!

I paid $8 for a 50lb bag of the black diamond (plus gas) and I know that play sand is only like $4-5 for a bag that size as well.

Precisely, that is why i asked what you are waiting for. Dont spend money on the "aquarium sand" or for shipping. YOu can find it near you i am sure

 

[Rivercats]

I used to keep a 20L barebottom tank that had a really cool piece of DW in it that I attached Bolbitus, a couple Anubias, and moss to. Floated water sprite and the tank was really nice looking.

 

[Oohitsae]

Yeah, bare bottom can be cool. But if you want sand eventually, it's much easier to get it out of the way now, trust me. I just changed all my tanks from gravel to soil with a sand cap and it was so much more work than just doing sand from the get.

 

[Tay]

Yeah, bare bottom can be cool. But if you want sand eventually, it's much easier to get it out of the way now, trust me. I just changed all my tanks from gravel to soil with a sand cap and it was so much more work than just doing sand from the get.

Was the result worth it, to change?

 

[Oohitsae]

I haven't noticed any differences other than it being much easier to plant in now. It's only been changed over for a week and I haven't done any testing to see if theirs any differences with water quality, although there should definitely be considering that there isn't any gravel for the food and waste to get wedged between and that its considered naturally planted vs. regular planted.

 

[Berylla]

I am planning to get rid of all my sand and go BB again. My corycats have melted whiskers because the sand surface has too high organics. I have discus so my tank get really dirty so BB is better for me. Gold fish are also high bioload fish. Anyone have sand and goldfish without any issues?

 

[jlk]

I am planning to get rid of all my sand and go BB again. My corycats have melted whiskers because the sand surface has too high organics. I have discus so my tank get really dirty so BB is better for me. Gold fish are also high bioload fish. Anyone have sand and goldfish without any issues?

Exactly what issues do you mean with sand and goldfish?

 

[Berylla]

Exactly what issues do you mean with sand and goldfish?

I wondering if it's difficult to keep up with the tank maintenance with all that goldfish poop since its more challenging to vacuum sand substrate without sucking up the sand. Also, would a sand substrate mean also changing the water more often? I'm just really curious to hear from goldfish keepers how they manage this problem with sand tanks.

 

[Oohitsae]

I wondering if it's difficult to keep up with the tank maintenance with all that goldfish poop since its more challenging to vacuum sand substrate without sucking up the sand. Also, would a sand substrate mean also changing the water more often? I'm just really curious to hear from goldfish keepers how they manage this problem with sand tanks.

it's honestly, much easier to keep water quality good with sand substrate. Vaccuming isn't too bad, you just keep the head about 1" away from the substrate and it should suck everything up vs. having all that waste fall inbetween the gravel and having to mess around with trying to get it all. I know since i switched, w/c's have been much less of a pain and I dont have to spend as much time gravel vacc'ing. I personally dont have any goldfish, but I do tend to overfeed a good amount and have a good amount of plecos in my tanks that produce a good amount of waste as well.

 

[Berylla]

it's honestly, much easier to keep water quality good with sand substrate. Vaccuming isn't too bad, you just keep the head about 1" away from the substrate and it should suck everything up vs. having all that waste fall inbetween the gravel and having to mess around with trying to get it all. I know since i switched, w/c's have been much less of a pain and I dont have to spend as much time gravel vacc'ing. I personally dont have any goldfish, but I do tend to overfeed a good amount and have a good amount of plecos in my tanks that produce a good amount of waste as well.

I find it challenging to vacuum in and around the plants without sucking sand.

 

[Oohitsae]

I don't vacuum much around the plants, you aren't really supposed to, when whatever is there breaks down it becomes fertilizer for the plants.

 

[Berylla]

I don't vacuum much around the plants, you aren't really supposed to, when whatever is there breaks down it becomes fertilizer for the plants.

I'm having a problem with my cories and melted barbels because of the high organics in/on the sand. I change my water out every other day 75% because of the discus and this has had no effect on curing the cories. This is why I am curious to hear from goldfish keepers who have sand beds. Maybe there is something I could be doing.

 

[Cactuspixie]

I'm having a problem with my cories and melted barbels because of the high organics in/on the sand..

Are you sure the problem isn't the type of sand you have? It's said that some types have sharper grains than others. I'm going to set my new tank up with part coarse river sand and part fine play sand. I hope it will agree with cories and kuhlis.

 

[butterfly_koi]

I'm getting yet another 55. Gallon tank some members here gave me the idea of sand but I won't be able to get it for a while so would a bare bottom tank be fine?

The link I posted on your other thread for the Black Diamond was to show you what it looked like. You can go directly to Tractor Supply and buy it there instead of ordering it online, it'll be much cheaper that way.

 

[Koikeeper99]

If its not that much harder to clean sand, ill definitely go with the black diamond sand.